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By Alisa Fleming on In The News, News
I can’t believe it’s already Month 3 of myDairy-Free 3-Book Journey! I admit that I haven’t finished my Month 2 goal – to complete the remaining 39 recipes on my Book #2 list – but I have made successful headway, and am not disappointed.Plus, the process got me thinking … so many people profess to me that going dairy free is too hard, too expensive or requires lots of specialty foods. But, in my books I tend to keep it simple, and I argue that people merely need to shift some of the foods that they purchase. It’s a “new normal” that’s equally delicious! To help, I’ve created a PrintableDairy-Free Shopping List (straight from my own kitchen) that will allow you to makeHUNDREDS of recipes, including at least 95% of the recipes in my books.
TheDairy-Free Shopping List: Quick Notes
Allergies / Special Diets: Of course, if you are allergic or intolerant to any of these foods, or they aren’t suitable for your diet needs, cross them off your list! You shouldstill be able to make countless recipes. But, I have already made this Dairy-Free Shopping List gluten-free optional, and it is inclusive for vegan diets, too. It is also paleo-friendly, you will just want to nix the legumes and some of the flours, opting for buckwheat, coconut and tapioca flours instead.
Proteins: Mostof the foods in my Dairy-Free Shopping Listhave some protein, and many, such as the nuts and whole grains, are considered good sources of that vital nutrient. For vegans, organic tofu and tempeh can be valueable to add to the mix. Vegetarians can expand that with eggs (If you confuse eggs for dairy, you aren’t alone. See this post: Are Eggs Dairy?). Omnivores can go a step further with their protein, adding meat and fish. Note that I’ve included the meats and fish in this Dairy-Free Shopping List that offer the most versatility and nutritional bang for your buck.
DIY:I only list nuts, not nut flours, and oats, not oat flours, as I usually just grind my own in a spice grinder (or food processor) as I need them. They are very soft and take just a minute to grind.
TheDairy-Free Shopping List:Printable
Direct Link to the PDF Printable: The Dairy-Free Shopping List for Making Hundreds of Recipes
The Dairy-Free Shopping List: Food Brands I Use
Much of the food we purchase is fresh, or we buy generic store brands or pre-packed bulk. However, for recipe testing for my books, these are brands that I’m currently using and loving:
- Dairy-Free Milk Beverage – I always pick unsweetened for its versatility (it can be used in savories, for baking, or desired sweeteners can be added to taste), and right now I have Silk Unsweetened Almond Milk Beverage and Cashew Milk Beverage in my refrigerator! For nut allergies where you are not allergic to coconut, I recommend the Coconut Milk Beverage.
- Spices and Extracts – You should see my growing collection of Simply Organic and Frontier Coopspices and extracts. Love this brand – quality, freshness and competitive prices with some herbs and spices available in bulk quantities.
- Buttery Spread – MELT Organic is vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and the most spreadable option out there. It tastes great, and is even free of pea protein for my legume averse friends.
- General Pantry – For flours, starches, grains, and nutritional yeast, I like the value, quality and easy availability of Bob’s Red Mill.
- Oils – I’ve just transitioned to trialing Ellyndale Oils, so far, they’re fabulous! I’m still testing out coconut oils though, in search of my holy grail.
- Maple Syrup – NOW Foods is my new favorite; it isn’t overly sugary, but is perfectly smooth, rich and versatile. Not a bad price either! As a side note, NOW’s organic popcorn is also tops.
- Superfoods – I use this term loosely, but for those raw items, like good cashews and chia seeds, and puresplurges, like coconut sugar and cacao butter, Navitas Naturals has been my go-to.
- Coconut Milk – Since I require coconut milk with a nice, thick, rich cream, I’ve come to rely on So Delicious Culinary Coconut Milk. It’s in little aseptic packages, but is equivalent to very high quality canned coconut milk.
- Condiments – I’m a huge fan of Organicville for ketchup, mustard, miso and more.
- Protein Powder – When I want a “pure” protein powder with nothing added, I reach for Growing Naturals Pea Protein or Sprout Living Protein Powders. For more of a “complete” protein powder with flavors and other tasty, healthy additions, I pick up Vega One Protein Powders.
- Canned Fish – Wild Planet for sardines and anchovies, and Pure Alaska Salmonfor salmon, naturally. For both, I buy the bone-in, for added calcium and nutrition.
- Cereal – For recipe testing, I stick with Erewhon brand since at last check, they had a dairy-free facility. They also offer a gluten-free, vegan crispy brown rice cereal.
Dairy-Free 3-Book Journey: Month 3 Goal
On my next 3-Book Journey Post (roughly just 30 days from today!), I hopeto share that I’ve completed 20 new recipes for book #2! I’m really confident that I’ll reach this goal. I also plan to get started on editing some of the informational portions and continuing dairy-free research on allergies and nutritional topics.
Dairy-Free 3-Book Journey: Eat it All Up!
In addition to my monthly posts on this journey, withrecipes and informational posts like this Dairy-Free Food List, you can follow more of my project and several others on Twitter, via the hashtags #Inspired and#LoveMySilk. This series was made possible by Silk, and I’m every so grateful for their dairy-free support! Here are the prior posts, just in case you missed them:
Month 2: Update on Recipes + Mini Maple French Toast Casseroles Recipe
Month 1: The Journey Launch + Easy Cheesy Broccoli “Nachos” Recipe
This conversation is sponsored by Silk. The opinions and text are all mine. For dairy-free milk beverage and yogurt coupons, recipes and much more, sign up for the Silk Newsletter.
